AYANA Zeitgeist

Translated from German, Zeitgeist means "the spirit of the moment", and is the key principle underpinning AYANA's service philosophy. Here, we share our inside tips and favorite haunts to help you experience the AYANA Zeitgeist.

“If you are good with people, the good force will come back to you.” Maria Karmelita – ROLE Models trainee as waitress

Where are you from? Flores

What do you think about this R.O.L.E program and how did you get the opportunity?
I used to sell cellular phone credit vouchers on the street. A lady who was selling porridge across my stall used to talk to me with her son. And she told me about R.O.L.E because she thought I was so sweet to her son. So I give it a shot and I am now learning English, basic working skills, gardening, and F&B service at the training center.

What gets you excited about being a R.O.L.E student? And what makes you nervous?
R.O.L.E is the answer to my prayers and I am blessed with all the education I am receiving. I have mixed feelings, I am excited and nervous being a trainee at a place like AYANA I just hope I can make my trainers proud and the guests happy.

What is your message to friends?
Try your best, and let God do the rest.

What do you want to achieve?
To be a Restaurant Manager, or better yet, own my own restaurant.

“Success comes from doing small things with great effort.” Azizah Isdiana – ROLE Models trainee as a waitress

Where are you from? Banyuwangi, Java.

What do you think about this R.O.L.E program and how did you get the opportunity?

R.O.L.E is not merely another organization. It is like a home and school blended into one.R.O.L.E has helped me to gain confidence too. My friend told me about it and I am now studying basic F&B skills, English, gardening and cooking at their training center in Nusa Dua.

What gets you excited about being a R.O.L.E student? And what makes you nervous?
The knowledge and training program that R.O.L.E is giving is something I thought I would only get if I had enough money to pay for it. But I am able to have this education because of the R.O.L.E sponsorship, and the most appealing perk is that it gives me an opportunity to train at AYANA.

Has a career in the hotel industry always been your passion? If so, in which area specifically?
No I never thought it would be possible. But since R.O.L.E got me here to AYANA, I have a new dream!

What is your message to friends?
Success does not come in the blink of an eye. It is a continuous effort that starts with a small step. And I am so glad that I took my first step with both R.O.L.E and AYANA. I am suggesting my friends join R.O.L.E too.

What do you want to achieve?
My new dream, which is to be a professional hotelier.

“When you hit rock bottom, the only place you can go is up!” Ahyani – ROLE Models trainee as a therapist at Thermes Marins Bali Spa”

Where are you from? Situbondo, East Java.

What do you think about this R.O.L.E program and how did you get the opportunity?
I know R.O.L.E from a friend. I am a single mother, I used to work in a small warung, trying to make ends meet for my 10-year-old-son. I only graduated from elementary school so it is a bit hard for me to even imagine I can make a better living. But after I found R.O.L.E, trained with F&B skills, English, gardening and cooking at their training center in Nusa Dua, and getting this training opportunity at AYANA, I am confident I will do better for myself and my son.

What gets you excited about being a R.O.L.E student? And what makes you nervous?
I love the trainers at R.O.L.E . They care about the development of each student. And I love being part of a hotel that is as great as AYANA. Even though AYANA’s guests have high expectations and that makes me nervous, the hotel trainers are incredibly supportive and patient of me and the rest of my friends.

Has a career in the hotel industry always been your passion? If so, in which area specifically?
Yes. I specifically love being in the Spa department.

What is your message to friends?
If you think you are at your lowest, cry for help. Do not keep it for yourself because it will drain you and bring you to even a lower level. R.O.LE is a form of help that I am getting.

What do you want to achieve?
Working here at AYANA, and making a better future for my son.

What do you think about this R.O.L.E program and how did you get the opportunity?
I do not think it is an exaggeration if I say R.O.L.E is like a miracle. I only graduated from Elementary School, who would dare to dream of being part of AYANA with my educational background? R.O.L.E made it happen and AYANA is another life saver. I heard about R.O.L.E from a friend and now, I am studying English, cooking, basic working skills at the training center. Things I never thought I would learn.

What gets you excited about being a R.O.L.E student? And what makes you nervous?
Almost everything, but because the education given starts with basics, it is good for me. And of course, the chance to be a trainee at AYANA! This is making my family in the village really proud. They just do not know how nervous I am about carrying AYANA’s brand even as a trainee.
Almost everything, but because the education given starts with basics, it is good for me. And of course, the chance to be a trainee at AYANA! This is making my family in the village really proud. They just do not know how nervous I am about carrying AYANA’s brand even as a trainee.

Has a career in the hotel industry always been your passion? If so, in which area specifically?
I am not young, so back then…I never dreamed of being a hotelier. But I needed a change in life and I am glad I found it now.

What is your message to friends?
Keep on trying to reach your goals. Nothing in the world should be big enough to stop you. When you try to do your best, you will be surprised to see that everything can fall into the right place. Like what R.O.L.E and AYANA do for me.

“As long as you do not settle, you will get yourself to the top.” YUNI MARIYANI – ROLE Models trainee as a waiter at Padi restaurant

Where are you from? Gilimanuk, Bali.

What do you think about this R.O.L.E program and how did you get the opportunity?
I heard about R.O.L.E from my neighbor. It gives me education about basic F&B?skills, basic working skills, English, gardening and cooking whilst at the same time giving me an income.

What gets you excited about being a R.O.L.E student? And what makes you nervous?
The chance to practice English in everyday life is the thing I enjoy best about R.O.L.E . Not to forget, that it brings me to AYANA. A resort with a name so grand that I almost could not believe it is happening to me, this opportunity! On another note, I am nervous about being trained by the
professionals at AYANA. But their kind support is really comforting and inspiring.

Has a career in the hotel industry always been your passion? If so, in which area specifically?
Yes. Always. It is always been about Food and Beverage. I love to treat people special; I love to know habits and manners or service expectations of guests from different countries.

What is your message to friends?
Do not be shy if you have to start something from the lowest level. I am not ashamed if I have to do all the dirty and hard jobs to get to where I want to be, as long as I can learn something and never settle for second best.

What do you think about this R.O.L.E program and how did you get the opportunity?
I see R.O.L.E as the perfect organization to support us and help us as women to reach our dreams, no matter how hard things may be for us, be it financial difficulties, or not having a good enough educational background. I heard about R.O.L.E from a friend. Now, I am studying English, cooking, basic working skills at the training center.

What gets you excited about being a R.O.L.E student? And what makes you nervous?
That I can learn English every single day and practice it with my tutors at the training center and at AYANA. But I have to admit that working and being trained by AYANA’s professionals gets me anxious too.

Has a career in the hotel industry always been your passion? If so, in which area specifically?
Yes. I have a passion for pastry and am also interested in housekeeping.

What is your message to friends?
Keep on trying to reach you goals. Nothing in the world should be big enough to stop you. When you try to do your best, you will be surprised to see that everything can fall into the right place. Like what R.O.L.E and AYANA do for me.

What do you want to achieve?
To be a pastry chef or open my own business. First, as soon as I complete my training program, I will apply for a job!

Formula 1 mania is about to descend upon Singapore yet again, but noise, stench and stress are not everyone’s dea of a good time. Some Singaporeans like Willin Low, acclaimed lawyer who changed his business suit for a white jacket and tall hat, are escaping to Bali.

Before building a reputation as one of Singapore’s most awarded and dynamic Chef – Restaurateurs, Willin Low led a life as a corporate lawyer from Mondays to Fridays. In the last two years of his full-time legal career, he would shed his corporate suit to become a private chef-for-hire on weekends.

In October 2004, Willin decided to make the bold move of switching careers. Though he had achieved much success as a law practitioner, Willin took up a trainee position with the Garibaldi Group. As the stars aligned, he officially hung the sharp tailored suit and changed into a white jacket, opening his signature restaurant Wild Rocket at Mount Emily a year later.

At Wild Rocket, Chef Willin applied his culinary philosophy of serving food that he himself would love to eat – Western food with a local twist. As a self-taught chef, one advantage Chef Willin has is that he possess a style that is unique and perhaps even quirky. Most of his dishes are inspired by hawker fare; his childhood craves; or by an interesting ingredient discovered while travelling. “Cooking is about providing happiness. Providing good food and service is the most basic need anyone requires. I think that is why I love cooking – and eating – so much ” says Willin.

It is safe to say that during the F1 season, there will be a noticeable absence of engine oil as Chef Willin brings his Wild Rocket recipes to Dava 21-23 September as guest chef, invited by fellow Singaporean, Dava chef de cuisine Jusman So – founder-chef of Singapore’ much-lauded Sage
restaurant (2010/2011 Miele List). Jusman will lend his kitchen to Chef Willin for three nights to serve up a special degustation menu, giving Dava guests the opportunity to experience another of Singapore’s culinary gems.

The F1 Fatigue menu by the guest chef, Willin Low from Wild Rocket in Singapore, will run from Friday, 21st September, till Sunday, 23rd September.